A comparison of yield data (a) and fermentation progression (b) from the trial fermentations (utilizing S. cerevisiae NCYC479) of enzymatic hydrolysates resulting from either optimised autohydrolytical or dilute acid hydrothermal pretreatment processes. (a) Theoretical ethanol yield based on the glucose concentration in the feedstock. (b) Fermentation progression monitored by weight loss of vessels, due to CO₂ evolution. Pretreatment: autohydrolytical (200°C 10 min) or 1% HCl catalysed hydrothermal (160°C 5 min) at 30% solids loading (w/v). Enzyme digestion: Novozymes Cellic CTec2 (20 μL enzyme per 200 mg residue; 20 FPU/g biomass, 24 h incubation at 50°C, pH ). Fermentations conducted at 15°C with stirring (120 rpm) and using S. cerevisiae NCYC479 at a pitching rate of cells/mL in 100 mL of hydrolysate. Data are the mean ± SD of three replicate experiments.